Overseas Pakistanis Foundation

01-03-2018

Overseas Pakistanis Foundation

Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development

Shahrah-e-Jamhuriyat G/5-2, Islamabad

PRESS RELEASE

ISLAMABAD March 01 ( ) The Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis and Human Resource Development Pir Syed Saddar Uddin Shah Rashdi said that the Government has been gearing up efforts for recovery of out-standing salaries and end service benefits of repatriated Pakistani workers from Saudi Arabia.

Arriving back from Saudi Arabia after a four days official visit, the Minister said that he has held a promising meeting with his Saudi counterpart Minister for Labour and Social Development Mr. Ali bin Nasir Alafees in Jeddah Saudi Arabia and discussed the payment process of out-standing salaries and end service benefits of repatriated Pakistani workers. In addition, enhancement of manpower quota for Pakistan, accreditation of Pakistani Technical Institutes and work place safety assurance were also discussed. He further added that Saudi labour minister had assured an early resolution of out-standing and end service benefits issues as this matter relates to multinational workers, for which every country is pushing for.

It is worth mentioning that the four renowned companies M/S Binladin, M/S Oger, M/S Saad Trading and M/S Redico were declared defaulted resulting in the deprivation of thousands of workers from Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and a number of Arab States of their jobs as well as salaries/end service benefits. M/S Binladin had paid all dues to the retrenched workers whereas the court cases against the remaining three companies are subjudice as informed by the embassy.

The embassy of Pakistan further informed that labour department deputed a lawyer to plead the cases of repatriated workers. Besides, the representative of embassy also attends court hearings in order to pursue the cases. It was informed that lower court had decided the case in favour of workers and awarded fine of Saudi Riyals 3.9 million to M/S Saad Company, but the company management filed an appeal in higher court against the judgment, which is pending for adjudication.

Federal minister said that the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis & HRD and OPF have been vigorously pursuing the matter of recovering out-standing salaries and end service benefits from the defaulted Saudi companies and in this connection Pakistan Embassy and consulate General Jeddah have been directed to ensure proper pursuance in the court of law in addition to the efforts being made by the diplomatic channel for early resolution of the cases.